Download Spring 2014 840:203:01 (685:233:01) Islamic Scriptures MW (2:50

Rutgers University Dept. of Religion (848-932-9641)
840:203:01 (685:233:01)
Islamic Scriptures
MW (2:50-4:10)
HH-A1/CAC
Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. James Pavlin Office: Loree Bldg. 130/DC; email: [email protected]
Office Hours: MW 6:15-6:45, or by appointment
Course Description: The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the sacred texts of
Islam. Muslims regard the Quran as the literal, revealed word of Allah but also consider the
statements and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, collectively known as the Hadith or Sunnah,
as part of a broader concept of revealed information. Each mode of revelation, Quran and Hadith,
form the scriptural basis on which Muslims build their religious life and define the concepts of
sacred and profane. The course will explore how revelation bridges the gap between the divine
and human by examining Islamic scriptures in their historical, theological, legal and mystical
contexts.
Required Texts:
1) Abdel Haleem, M.A.S. The Qur’an: A New Translation. New York,
Oxford University Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-19-953595-8
2) Articles and notes to be made available to the students on Sakai: Resources.
Study and Research Resources: The classroom experience will be enhanced through the use of
Rutger’s web based interactive technology called Sakai. All students are required to know how
to use Sakai. Although this course is not designed to be an online or hybrid course, Sakai will be
our main means of communication outside the classroom. Any student who has difficulties
accessing computers or the internet, or has any issues that might hinder the use of Sakai, must
speak to me about possible alternatives for the Sakai based course work. The site will contain
announcements, assignments, tests and quizzes, recommended resources, chat room, discussion
board, and gradebook (for estimated grade progress), among other things.
Recommended Texts on Reserve at Alexander Library:
Abdel Haleem, Muhammad. Understanding the Quran: Themes and Style.
Al-Ghazali, Abu Hamid. The Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife.
Ayoub, Mahmoud. The Qur’an and its Interpreters.
Azami, Muhammad M. Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature.
Barlas, Asma. "Believing women" in Islam: unreading patriarchal interpretations of the Quran.
Ghazi, Muhammad. Marriage and Divorce: Keep them in Kindness or Release them in Kindness.
Jansen, J.J.G. The Interpretation of the Koran in Modern Egypt.
Jihad in Medieval and Modern Islam. Trans by Rudolph Peters.
Phipps, William E. Muhammad and Jesus: A Comparison of the Prophets and Their Teachings.
Rahman, Fazlur. Major Themes of the Quran.
Rippin, Andrew. Approaches to the History of the Interpretation of the Qur’an.
Sands, Kristin Zahra. Sufi Commentaries on the Quran in Classical Islam.
Seale, M.S. Quran and Bible: Studies in Interpretation and Dialogue.
Smith, Jane I. and Yvonne Y. Haddad. The Islamic Understanding of Death and Resurrection.
Stowasser, Barbara. Women in the Qur’an, Traditions, and Interpretation.
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Reference and Research:
Encyclopaedia of Islam, 13 volumes plus supplements. DS37.E51
Encyclopedia of the Qur’an, 5 volumes. Ed. by Jane Damman McAuliffe. BP133 b.E53 2001
Journal of Qur’anic Studies, electronic resource through Rutgers library system
Oxford encyclopedia of the modern Islamic world, 4 volumes. John L. Esposito, editor in chief.
DS35.53.O95 1995
Course Requirements:
1) Attendance and Participation (10% of final grade): Students are expected to attend each
class on time and contribute to class discussions. Students are also expected to participate in all
classroom activities such as small group discussions and presentations. Attendance will be taken
for each class. This portion of the grade is worth ten (10) points. Any unexcused absences will
result in a reduction of this part of the student’s grade by two (2) points per unexcused absence.
Six or more unexcused absences will result in the student’s final grade being lowered by one full
letter grade. Students who encounter any extended problem with absences, for example, for
medical, family emergency, or religious reasons, must inform me in writing (email acceptable)
about the reason and duration of the absence. Decisions on excused absences will be made on a
case-by-case basis. Extended absences may require the student to do extra written
assignments.
Self-Reporting of Absences:
In accordance with University policy, if you expect to miss a class, please use the University
absence reporting website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra to indicate the date and reason for your
absence. An email is automatically sent to me. Please note that this does not necessarily mean
that you will get an excused absence. That is based on my discretion.
Classroom Etiquette and Netiquette: The use of lap tops is permitted only for purposes related
to the course. (If I notice excessive giggling, I will assume you are not looking at course related
material!) All cell phones, iPods, and any other hand held devices are strictly forbidden during
class. Violation of this policy will result in your being requested to leave the class and receiving
an unexcused absence.
2) Quizzes (30% of final grade): Five essay quizzes will occur on a regular basis to test the
students’ grasp of ideas and concepts under discussion. The first quiz will be in class, and the
remaining four quizzes will be made available on Sakai: Tests and Quizzes. Quizzes will be
made available according to the schedule below. Once you begin the quiz, you will have a 60
minute time limit to complete it. If you submit an uncompleted quiz by mistake, you must
contact me. I will determine if you deserve to retake the quiz.
3) Midterm Exam (30% of final grade): The exam will consist of multiple choice, true/false
and fill in the blank questions. A study guide for the exam will be provided. Make-up exams are
permitted for those having an excused absence. The make up exam must be completed within
one week of the student’s return to class, depending on the arrangements made with the
department secretary. This will be the only possibility for a make-up.
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4) One Research Paper (30% of final grade): The paper must have a cover page, six to ten
pages of text (averaging 250 words per page), and a bibliography. Students must make extensive
use of academic sources, such as books, journals, and encyclopedias. These can be published in
print or online. Non-academic sources can be used but must be properly referenced. The topic for
the paper must focus on a specific theme related to the Quran. It can deal with issues of the
Quran in general, e.g., history of its compilation, or of themes, e.g, the nature of God, creation,
marriage, etc. Students must demonstrate their understanding of all theoretical and
methodological concepts discussed during the semester. To ensure that students are making
proper progress on the research paper, all students must hand in their paper topic, short abstract
of the paper, and a preliminary bibliography on Wednesday, 3/27. Failure to meet this deadline
will result in a five (5) point deduction from the total paper grade. Papers must conform to
all academic standards. Completed papers must be handed in by the due date listed below, late
papers will not be accepted with out prior approval.
Grading Policy: All final grades will be calculated according to the Rutgers’ grading system.
Letter grades and numerical grades on a scale of 100 to 65 will be converted to the point system
as follows: 4.0 = A (100-90), 3.5 = B+ (89-85), 3.0 = B (84-80), 2.5 = C+ (79-75), 2.0 = C (7470), 1.0 = D (69-65), 0.0 = F (64 and below). For the purpose of quizzes, tests, and papers, as
applicable to each course, a grade of A- (90-92) will be used and is equivalent to 3.8 points. An
incomplete (“T” grade) for this course will not be given unless the student consults with me
about the reason for not completing the course work on time. Grades that appear in the Sakai
Gradebook are estimations of your grade. Final grades will be calculated according to the
percentages listed above. I reserve the right to adjust and override these grades as I deem
necessary. All final grades are based on my assessment of your work.
Office of Disability Services:
Any student requiring special accommodations to participate in and successfully complete this
course must contact the Office of Disability Services and ask to speak with a Coordinator (848445-6800 or [email protected]) to discuss accommodations.
Course Outline and Reading Assignments:
1/22
Introduction: Review of syllabus and overview of course content.
1/27
Quran in Translation: Abdel Haleem, Introduction, pp. ix-xxxvi.
1/29
Structure of the Quran: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: OrderofSurahs, AlNadimSequence, DenfferManuscripts, BeestonNomenclature
Quiz 1 online multiple choice, true-false, short answer: Sakai: Test and
Quizzes, open 1/29 6:00 pm and closes 2/1 11:59 pm, 30 min. time limit.
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2/3, 5
Overview of the Quran: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: Andrew Rippin,
“Chapter Two: The Qur’an” in Muslims: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices:
Vol. 1: The Formative Period (1990), pp. 14-29.
Quiz 2 online multiple choice, true-false, short answer: Sakai: Test and
Quizzes, open 2/5 6:00 pm and closes 2/8 11:59 pm, 40 min. time limit.
2/10, 12
The Quranic Concept of Revelation: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading:
William A. Graham, “Chapter 1: The Early Muslim Understanding of the
Prophetic-Revelatory Event” pp. 9-24, and “Chapter 2: Concepts of Revelation in
Early Islam” pp. 25-48, in Divine Word and Prophetic Word in Early Islam
(1977).
Quiz 3 Essay quiz on the prophetic-revelatory event: Sakai: Test and
Quizzes, open 2/12 6:00 pm and closes 2/15 11:59 pm, 40 min. time limit.
2/17, 19
The Quranic Concept of Revelation: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading:
Abdallah Saeed, “Rethinking ‘Revelation’ as a Precondition for Reinterpreting the
Qur’an: A Qur’anic Perspective.” in Journal of Qur’anic Studies, Vol. 1, Issue 1,
1999, pp. 93-114.
Quiz 4 Essay quiz on rethinking revelation: Sakai: Test and Quizzes, open
2/19 6:00 pm and closes 2/22 11:59 pm, 40 min. time limit.
2/24, 26
The Hadith: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: Frederick M. Denny, Chapter
7, “The Prophet’s Sunna as Preserved in the Hadith,” in An Introduction to Islam;
and notes: VersesonSunnah and ExampleHadith.
3/3, 5
Overview of Tafsir: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: Marston Speight, “The
Function of Hadith as Commentary on the Qur’an, as Seen in the Six
Authoritative Collections” in Approaches to the History of the Interpretation of
the Qur’an, pp. 63-81.
3/10
Example of Tafsir: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (1996),
pp. 91-104.
3/12
Midterm Exam
3/17, 19
Spring Break
3/24, 26
3/31, 4/2
Creation, Adam, Eve, and Satan: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: notes:
CreationinQuran and AdamEveStories; from the Encyclopedia of the Quran:
Peterson, Daniel Carl. "Creation."
Read all the related verses in Abdel Haleem, The Qur’an: A new translation.
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3/31
Paper topic, abstract, and current bibliography due. (This must be typed and
presented in class.)
4/7, 9
4/14, 16
Women in the Quran: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: Asma Barlas,
“Chapter 1: “The Qur’an and Muslim Women: Reading Patriarchy, Reading
Liberation,” in “Believing Women” in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal
Interpretations of the Qur’an, pp. 1-28; Mohamed Mahmoud, “To Beat or Not to
Beat: On the Exegetical Dilemmas Over Qur’an, 4:34,” in Journal of the
American Oriental Society, Vol. 126, No. 4, 2006, pp. 537-550; M.A.S. Abdel
Haleem, “Euphemism in the Qur’an: A Case Study of Marital Relations as
Depicted in Q. 2:222-3,” in Journal of Qur’anic Studies, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2011, pp.
125-131; and notes: Womeninquran.
Read all the related verses in Abdel Haleem, The Qur’an: A new translation.
Quiz 5 Essay quiz on Barlas’s “Chapter 1: “The Qur’an and Muslim
Women: Reading Patriarchy, Reading Liberation,” Sakai: Test and Quizzes,
open 4/16 6:00 pm and closes 4/19 11:59 pm, 40 min. time limit.
4/21, 23
4/28, 30
Jihad in the Quran: Sakai: Resources: Required Reading: notes: JihadinQuran and
PeopleoftheBook; from the Encyclopedia of the Quran: Landau-Tasseron, Ella.
"Jihād."
Read all the related verses in Abdel Haleem, The Qur’an: A new translation.
5/5
No class meeting. Research paper is due. A printed hard copy must be
brought to the Department of Religion office Loree 140/DC by 4:00 pm.
There is no final exam for this class.
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